Zhou Guanyu, China's only Formula One driver, said on Thursday that he has extended his contract with Alfa Romeo into the 2024 season.

The longest season in Formula 1 history starts this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix

The green light means he will be climbing back into the cockpit of his car in Friday opening practice just five days after the shocking images of his Alfa hurtling upside down and vaulting the trackside barrier and landing in the ditch separating the circuit from the fans.

Zhou Guanyu said the halo safety device "saved me today" after he escaped uninjured from the horror multi-car smash at the start of Sunday's British Grand Prix.

The British Grand Prix was red-flagged after a horror opening-corner multi-car smash at Silverstone on Sunday, with Zhou Guanyu's Alfa Romeo flipped upside down and hurtling over the barrier.

Valtteri Bottas topped the times for Alfa Romeo ahead of home hero Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in Friday's rain-swept opening practice session at the British Grand Prix

Guanyu Zhou will become China's first ever Formula One driver after Alfa Romeo announced on Tuesday the 22-year-old would drive for the team next season.

Valtteri Bottas has signed a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo starting next season, the Formula One team announced Monday, paving the way for George Russell to join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.

The modest Swiss Sauber team will start its landmark 500th race at the Turkish Grand Prix -- a feat achieved by only three other teams, led by Ferrari.

Mick Schumacher completed 70 laps and clocked the sixth best time of 1min 29.998 sec.